Is Hollywood Realizing The Value Of Christian Audiences?

Over the past decade I have seen many commercials for movies that are not congruent with the Bible.  Many of those movies contain profanity, drugs, nudity, adultery, murder and many other horrible sins.  The value placed on God is very low in Hollywood.  However, I think we are in for a change.  Though the past decade released many bad movies, there have also been some excellent movies based on the Bible and Christian fiction that have grabbed the eyes and ears of America.  So, is Hollywood realizing the value of the Christian audience?  I say yes!

A Look at the Numbers

For starters, here is a look at a few of the Christian movies that have been made and how much money they made

The Passion of the Christ (2004)

Production Cost - $30 million

Marketing Cost - $15 million

Revenue – $370 millio

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

Production Cost - $150 million

Marketing Cost- $50 million

Revenue - $291.7 million

Fireproof (2008)

Production Cost - $500,000

Marketing Cost - $0

Revenue - $33.4 million

As you can see, these films did cost a lot to make, but they all made much more than they cost.  Even if Hollywood looked at the numbers only, the films would still be shot and the audience would still receive a great message.  In the end, God’s will be done.  Nothing escapes His will. (Ephesians 1:11)

A Look at the Content

Here is a brief summary of each of the movies listed above.  This is to show the truths of the Bible that are depicted in each of the films.

The Passion of the Christ

This movie is based on the last 12 hours of Jesus’ life.  You see all of the crucial elements of the life, death, burial and resurrection of Christ in this film.  The 3 most memorable scenes of this film are the scourging, where Christ was whipped, beaten and mocked before mankind (Mark 15:15), the crucifixion scene where Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins on the cross (John 19:16-30), and the resurrection scene. (John chapter 20)

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

This fictional film based off of C.S, Lewis’ book parallels many truths in the Bible.  This film involves 4 children that wander into Narnia through a wardrobe.  They encounter many creatures there, including the witch and the lion.  The witch represents Satan in this film.  She is crafty (Genesis 3:1), deceptive (Genesis 3:13b) and evil (Matthew 13:38b-39a), just like the Devil.  She lures Edmond by tempting (Matthew 4:1) him with Turkish delight.  Narnia is hers to go to and fro. (Job 1:7b)  Aslan, the lion, represents Jesus Christ. (Revelation 5:5)  He sacrifices his own life for Edmund, just as Christ sacrificed His life for mankind. (John 19:16-30)  Aslan is resurrected in the end (John chapter 20) and he defeats the witch once and for all. (Revelation 20:9-10)

Fireproof

Fireproof parallels the book of Hosea.  In this film, Caleb Holt’s life spirals downward through pornography and selfish ambition.  His wife, Catherine, wants a divorce from him.  Caleb is challenged to do the 40 day love dare from his father, John.  This challenge involves Caleb doing intentional things for 40 days to woo his bride back to himself.  John represents Hosea and Catherine represents Gomer from the book of Hosea.  In the end of the movie Caleb and Catherine have a flourishing, covenant-commitment, marriage which parallels God being the husband and Israel being the bride in the book of Hosea. (Hosea 2:16-23)

All 3 of these films reaffirm the truths in the Bible and are favorites to Christians around the world.  Hollywood recognized this and has made so many more since then including: Courageous, Prince Caspian, and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

A Look to the Future

Hollywood is realizing the fact that Christian movies are making an impact on the world.  There are many movies in the works right now that are faith based.  Hopefully, these movies will mimic their predecessors and remain true to the Bible.  Here is a quick look at a few

Left Behind (2014)

This film is a remake of the original film from 2001.  This one will be geared to be more mainstream, but it will still be the same movie covering the events after the rapture.

Gods and Kings(2014)

This film is said to cover the life of Moses from birth to death.  Most of the material will be taken from the book of Exodus.

Noah (2014)

This film will cover the story of the life of Noah written in the book of Genesis.

Conclusion

With the many Christian movies already made and released, I am excited to see the future that seems very hopeful for the Christian genre in cinema.  Hollywood has taken notice of the importance of the Christian audience and I applaud them for it.  When great producers, directors and actors display the truths of the Bible on the “Big Screen”, you can’t go wrong.  There is freedom in truth.  “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)  God bless!

Resources- The Holy Bible, English Standard Version“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^® (ESV^®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”, www.youtube.com,photo credit: Brett Jordan via photopin cc